Pompeo said no military exercises in Iran to spur regime change: report
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reportedly told a group of Iranian-American community leaders the United States would not rely on the military for regime change in Iran, Washington Examiner said, citing a report.
On Monday he said U.S. is “not going to do a military exercise inside Iran” when asked about it during a closed-door meeting in Dallas, Texas, according to Axios
A little more than a dozen leaders were in attendance, asking Pompeo questions. On the issue of regime change, Pompeo said the U.S. is “careful not to use the language of regime change.”
“Our mission set is to give them the opportunity. ... capacity to create opportunity, create that and provide transitional support,” he reportedly told the group. “ … Our best interest is a non-revolutionary set of leaders leading Iran.”
Pompeo also distanced President Trump’s administration from the People's Mujahedin of Iran, known as the MEK. Pompeo acknowledged national security adviser John Bolton and Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani have ties to the dissident group which seeks to overthrow the ruling Iranian regime and was once labeled by the U.S. as a terrorist organization, but indicated he and Trump do not.
“Let's not beat around the bush,” Pompeo said according to the notes of one of the attendees. “Ambassador Bolton spoke at an MEK rally. President Trump and I have not.”